OVERVIEW
Minnesota Historical Society
Rolvaag, Karl F., 1913-
Karl F Rolvaag papers.
1921-1984 (bulk 1946-1969).
Materials in English.
Correspondence, political files, subject files, personal
files, news clippings, print materials, and sound and visual materials of Karl F.
Rolvaag, son of Minnesota author Ole Edvart Rolvaag, chairman of the state
Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (1950-1954), Minnesota lieutenant governor
(1955-1962), Minnesota governor (1963-1967), U.S. ambassador to Iceland (1967-1969),
and member of the Minnesota Public Service Commission (1973-1978).
27.0 cubic feet (27 boxes and 1
oversize folder).
See [Detailed Description](a9) for shelf
locations.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Karl Fritjof Rolvaag was born July 18, 1913, in Northfield, Minnesota, to Ole Edvart
and Jennie (Berdahl) Rolvaag. After serving in World War II, he returned to
Minnesota. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in districts 1 (1946) and 5 (1952). He
was chairman of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party from 1950 to 1954. In
1954 he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, serving in that capacity until
1962. In that year, he was elected Governor over incumbent Elmer L. Andersen by a
margin of less than 100 votes after a protracted recount process. In 1966 he was
denied endorsement for re-election, entered and won the DFL primary over endorsee
Lieutenant Governor A. M. (Sandy) Keith, and lost in the general election to Harold
LeVander. He was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Iceland
by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1967, serving through March 27, 1969. In 1972 he
was elected to the Minnesota Public Service Commission. Rolvaag was married to
Florence Boedeker; they divorced in January 1981. In 1982, he married Marian Rankin
MacKenzie.
ARRANGEMENT
These papers are arranged in the following series:
- Correspondence
- Subject Files
- Political and Campaign Files
- Personal Papers
- Newspaper Clippings
- Gubernatorial Files
- Sound and Visual Materials
CATALOG HEADINGS
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the
Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics
should search
the catalog using these headings.
Topics:
Diplomatic and consular service, American --
Iceland.
Governors -- Minnesota -- Election.
Norwegian Americans -- Minnesota.
Political campaigns -- Minnesota.
Taconite -- Minnesota.
Women -- Political activity -- Minnesota.
World War, 1939-1945.
Persons:
Andersen, Elmer L., 1909-2004.
Andresen, August H. (August Herman),
b. 1890.
Freeman, Orville L.
Heaney, Gerald W. (Gerald
William), 1918-
Humphrey, Hubert H. (Hubert
Horatio), 1911-1978.
Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon
Baines), 1908-1973.
Keith, A. M., 1928-
Manfred, Frederick Feikema,
1912-1994.
Mondale, Walter F.,
1928-
Organizations:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Party.
Democratic National Committee
(U.S.)
Farmer-Labor Party (Minn.)
Minnesota Women for
Rolvaag.
Places:
Minnesota -- Politics and government --
1945-1980.
United States -- Foreign relations --
Iceland.
United States -- Foreign relations --
1963-1969.
Iceland.
Document Types:
Speeches.
Photographs.
Audiotapes.
Occupations:
Governors -- Minnesota.
Politicians -- Minnesota.
Ambassadors -- United States.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item and/or series here].
Rolvaag, Karl F., Karl F Rolvaag papers. Minnesota Historical
Society.
See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional
examples.
Accession Information:
Accession number: 8945; 8952; 9492; 9538; 9687; 9793; 9855; 10355; 10362; 10372;
10400; 10415; 13137; 13184; 13801; 16557
Processing Information:
Processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with a Basic Project
grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission
(NHPRC).
Catalog ID number: 001735365
RELATED MATERIAL
See also Minnesota. Governor (1963-1967 : Rolvaag): various series in the Minnesota
State Archives.
Interviews with Rolvaag, one of which is included in the 20th Century Radicalism in
Minnesota Oral History Project, and Rolvaag-related photographs and videotapes are
available in the Minnesota Historical Society sound and visual collection.
Additional varieties of materials relating to Rolvaag are available in the Minnesota
Historical Society print collection and in the Minnesota Historical Society museum
collection.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Correspondence
146.E.5.7B
1-A
A,
1953-1966.
B,
1950-1966.
C,
1955-1966.
D,
1951-1966.
E,
1955-1966.
F,
1955-1966.
146.E.5.8F
2-A
G,
1954-1966.
H,
1952-1966.
I,
1955-1967.
J,
1952-1967.
K,
1952-1967.
L,
1949-1967.
M,
1952-1967.
N,
1953-1966.
146.E.5.9B
3-A
O,
1954-1966.
P-Q,
1952-1966.
R,
1952-1966.
S,
1952-1966.
T,
1953-1966.
U,
1955-1966.
V,
1954-1966.
W,
1954-1966.
Y,
1956-1965.
Z,
1955-1964.
146.E.5.10F
4-A
Freeman, Orville L.,
1949-1966.
Haley, Martin R.,
1957, 1959.
Hansen, Melvin B.,
1963-1966.
Regarding the Metropolitan Building, Minneapolis.
Heaney, Gerald W.,
1961-1966.
Humphrey, Hubert H.,
1950-1962.
Karth, Joseph E.,
1961-1962.
McCarthy, Eugene J.,
1961-1962.
Manfred, Frederick,
1963-1966.
Mann, Stu,
1965.
Marshall, Fred,
1962.
Mondale, Walter F.,
1960-1962.
Naftalin, Arthur,
1954-1957.
Robbie, Joseph,
1961-1962.
Sanford, Governor Terry,
1965-1966.
Wozniak, Don,
1961-1962.
Anoka-Otter Tail counties,
1954-1959.
40 folders.
146.E.6.1B
5-A
Pine-Winona counties,
1954-1959.
20 folders.
Congressional districts 1-7,
1961-1962.
77 folders.
146.E.6.2F
6-A
Congressional district 8,
1961-1962.
11 folders.
By state,
1959-1962.
18 folders.
Incomplete.
146.E.6.3B
7-A
Personal correspondence,
1952-1965.
4 folders.
Subject files
146.E.6.2F
6-A
Agriculture,
1955-1962.
Airlines/airports (Metropolitan Airports Commission),
1955-1957.
Amendment No. 2,
1962.
AFL-CIO,
1955-1962.
Anonymous letters,
1962.
Area Redevelopment Administration,
1962.
Civil defense,
1957-1961.
Civil service,
1957-1961.
Congratulatory notes,
1954-1956.
Conservation,
1955-1959.
Corrections (Parole Board, YCC, etc.),
1955-1958.
Council of State Governments,
1954-1960.
Disaster area-Northwest Minnesota,
1957.
Education,
1955-1959.
Education, White House Conference on,
1955.
Election laws,
1955.
Employment,
1955.
Indian problems,
1960-1962.
Interstate Conference on Water Problems,
1959.
League of Minnesota Municipalities,
1955-1957.
League of Women Voters,
1961-1962.
Letters to the editor,
1962.
Manitoba-Minnesota Conference,
1955-1956.
Medicare,
1962.
Mental health,
1962.
Mining,
1961-1962.
Mining-taconite,
1961-1965.
Minneapolis Herald,
1962.
Minneapolis Urban League,
1955, 1957.
Minnesota Association of Soil Conservation Districts,
1955.
Minnesota Historical Society,
1955-1962.
2 folders.
Minnesota in the Space Age movie,
1965.
Minnesota Jewish Council,
1955, 1957.
Minnesota Statehood Centennial,
1958.
Mississippi River Road-Parkway,
1955, 1960.
146.E.6.3B
7-A
Public welfare,
1955-1957.
St. Olaf College,
1955, 1957.
Scandinavian trip,
1961.
5 folders.
Lecture tour under the auspices of the American Specialties Program,
Office of Cultural Exchange, U.S. State Department.
University of Minnesota,
1954-1961.
Miscellaneous,
1954-1966.
2 folders.
Political and campaign files
146.E.6.3B
7-A
First District, Rolvaag,
1946.
8 folders.
First District Convention lists,
1950.
General file,
1952.
Judd-Rolvaag campaign, Fifth District,
1952.
General file,
1954.
2 folders.
General files,
1956.
4 folders.
146.E.6.4F
8-A
General files,
1958.
5 folders.
Freeman for Governor,
1960.
Humphrey for President,
1959-1960.
Humphrey Senate campaign,
1960.
John F. Kennedy presidential,
1960.
Rolvaag, Lieutenant Governor,
1960.
6 folders.
1962 campaign:
Andersen, Elmer L.
Campaign requests.
Campaign strategy.
County directors.
Debates.
Disasters-Red River Valley floods.
Education.
2 folders.
Election statistics.
Engagements.
Farmers Union.
Issues.
146.E.6.5B
9-A
Mailing lists.
Mayor's Committee.
Media.
Memos.
Minnesota Poll.
Public welfare.
Rolvaag Committee.
St. Angelo, Douglas.
Scislowitz, Joseph.
Sherman, Norman, reports.
State employees health and welfare.
State Fair.
Stinnett, Ronald F.
Taxation.
Telegrams.
Thank you letters.
Volunteers.
Miscellaneous files.
3 folders.
Democratic National Convention,
1960.
Presidential campaign,
1964.
5 folders.
Inauguration,
1965.
146.E.6.6F
10-A
DFL convention and gubernatorial campaign,
1966.
7 folders.
Special files:
DFL Party,
1954-1955.
7 folders.
Young DFL clubs,
1953-1957, 1962-1966.
Democratic National Committee,
1954-1955, 1961-1966.
Newsletters,
1962.
Incomplete.
News releases, Rolvaag,
1955-September 1962.
5 folders.
146.E.6.7B
11-A
News releases, Rolvaag,
October 1962-1964.
News releases, questionnaires,
1962.
News releases, other,
1959-1962, 1964.
Schedules, Rolvaag,
1957, September-October 1960, January-November 1962, December
1966.
2 folders.
Schedules, correspondence,
May-July 1961, January-November 1962, November 1966.
5 folders.
Speeches and statements,
undated and 1957, April-October 1961, March-December 1962.
3 folders.
Speech notes.
Humphrey, Hubert H.,
1961-1966.
Minnesota political leaders in Washington, D.C.,
1964-1966.
U.S. presidents and staff,
1963-1966.
Agriculture,
1956-1960.
Economic progress, Northeast Minnesota,
1961.
Education,
1961.
Hate literature,
1965.
Judd, Walter H.,
1961.
146.E.6.8F
12-A
Legislature,
1953, 1955-1962.
Patronage,
1952, 1954, 1960-1963, 1965.
Polls,
1963-1966.
Railroad merger,
1960-1962.
Taconite,
1961-1966.
Includes Taconite Amendment.
Taxes and taxation,
1955, 1957-1961.
2 folders.
Miscellaneous, by date,
1939, 1956-1965.
148.H.7.5B
1-B
1944 campaign:
Includes DFL candidate Andrew Meldahl's campaign against August
Andresen.
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
June-October 1944.
Lists of teachers.
Andresen's voting record.
Newspaper clippings and campaign literature.
1946 campaign:
Includes Karl Rolvaag's campaign against August Andresen.
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
April-October 1946.
Questionnaires.
Transcripts of Rolvaag speeches.
Research notes kept by Rolvaag regarding Floyd B. Olson,
Farmer-Labor Party, Populists and other third parties.
2 folders.
Printed materials:
Independent Committee for Roosevelt-Truman,
1944.
National Citizens Political Action Committee,
1944-1946.
Miscellaneous,
1944-1946.
2 folders.
Includes the CIO Political Action Committee.
1958 Rolvaag campaign for lieutenant governor: Financial papers,
1958-1960.
1962 gubernatorial campaign:
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
March 1961-November 1962.
Finances:
Correspondence and miscellaneous files,
August 1961-December 1962.
Thank you letters: A-Z.
2 folders.
Fund raising.
Contributors.
Polls.
1966 gubernatorial campaign:
Correspondence by District and County:
First District, Dakota-Olmsted.
8 folders.
148.H.7.6F
2-B
First District, Rice-Winona.
4 folders.
Second District, Blue Earth-Watonwan.
19 folders.
Third District, Anoka.
Third District, Hennepin, A-Z.
3 folders.
Fourth District, Ramsey, Miscellaneous.
Fourth District, Ramsey, A-Q.
6 folders.
148.H.7.7B
3-B
Fourth District, Ramsey, R-Z.
3 folders.
Fourth District, Washington.
Fifth District, Hennepin, miscellaneous.
Fifth District, Minneapolis, A-Z.
13 folders.
148.H.7.8F
4-B
Sixth District, Benton-Yellow Medicine.
19 folders.
Seventh District, Becker-Wadena.
22 folders.
Eighth District, Aitkin-St. Louis.
14 folders.
148.H.7.9B
5-B
American Allied Insurance case,
1964-1966.
3 folders.
Oliver Quayle poll,
1965.
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
April 1964-February 1967.
8 folders.
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers regarding
contributors and volunteers,
May-November 1966.
List of contributors,
June-October 1966.
2 folders.
Also includes receipts and disbursements, volunteer lists, and
related papers.
Delegate pledges,
June 1966.
2 folders.
148.H.7.10F
6-B
Delegate pledges,
June 1966.
2 folders.
Petitions,
July 1966.
3 folders.
Urging Rolvaag to enter the primary against DFL endorsee A. M.
Keith.
148.H.8.1B
7-B
Correspondence, printed materials, and related papers,
1944-1952.
4 folders.
Newspaper clippings,
circa 1948-1952.
3 packages.
Unorganized.
Personal papers: Rolvaag trip to Norway,
1947-1948.
148.H.8.2F
8-B
1962 gubernatorial campaign:
Correspondence and memos,
May 1962-January 1963.
Bank deposits and purchase orders.
Financial contributions.
Receipts and disbursements,
1961-1963.
William Nee Advertising firm.
2 folders.
Includes campaign literature and strategy preparation.
Andersen, Elmer L.
Highways.
Iron ore leases.
Mineral Development Authority.
Taconite.
Tax equalization.
Utilities, mineral shift.
Miscellaneous subjects.
1962 recount files:
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
1962-1963.
Correspondence, Clayton L. Nelson,
1962-1964.
Contributions and finances.
4 folders.
Includes bank deposits.
Canvassing Board reports by county, Anoka-Watonwan.
2 folders.
Ballot inspectors.
Includes lists and other papers.
Tabulations.
"Analysis of Minnesota Gubernatorial Vote, 1962…For Use in
Minnesota Gubernatorial Recount," by Ronald F. Stinnett.
2 folders.
Newspaper clippings,
September 1962-January 1963.
1 envelope.
148.H.8.3B
9-B
1964 Presidential campaign:
Miscellaneous papers and newspaper advertisements.
2 folders.
1966 gubernatorial campaign:
General files,
circa 1962-1966.
5 folders.
Approval (correspondence), A-Z.
6 folders.
Campaign letters.
Caucuses.
2 folders.
Concession.
Counties.
148.H.8.4F
10-B
Disapproval.
Districts.
Editorials, approval.
LeVander, Harold.
Post-election letters.
Primary.
Races (mostly legislative).
Wards.
Miscellaneous items and correspondence,
1963-1965.
Transcripts of speeches,
undated and 1961-1962.
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
April-December 1966.
William Nee Advertising firm,
August 1965, January-November 1966.
3 folders.
Includes campaign strategy, correspondence and miscellaneous
papers,
Hatfield, Rolland,
1963-1964.
Highway 35,
1963-1964.
Keith, A. M.,
1961-1966.
2 folders.
148.H.8.5B
11-B
1962 contributors: A-Z,
1962.
3 packages.
Card files.
1966 contributors under $25: A-Z,
1966.
6 packages.
Card files.
148.H.14.2F
1-C
1962 gubernatorial campaign:
Correspondence and memos,
June-November 1962.
New releases,
February 17-November 4, 1962.
Rolvaag schedules,
September-November 1962.
News releases and schedules: A. M. Keith and Clyne Olson,
July-September 1962.
Financial records,
August 1961-September 1962.
Volunteers and volunteer committees,
August-November 1962.
Liberal legislators, eighth district,
May-July 1962.
Advertising, public relations, media,
July-October 1962.
4 folders.
Includes transcripts of speeches, campaign literature, and ads.
148.H.14.3B
2-C
Federal programs in Minnesota,
1961-1962.
Highways,
1961-1962.
2 folders.
Public Works bill,
1961-1962.
Recreation and tourism promotion,
1961-1962.
Taconite taxes,
1960-1962.
Miscellaneous subjects, Duluth-sales taxes,
1961-1962.
Minnesota Women for Rolvaag:
Background materials.
Includes schedules.
Correspondence and memos,
June-November 1962.
Finances,
May-November 1962.
Correspondence and miscellany by Congressional districts,
nos. 1-8.
6 folders.
"Karl's Koffee Karavan," attendance lists,
July 25-October 31, 1962.
Computer printout sheets, contributions, mailings.
3 folders.
Congressional district contacts and voting materials.
Miscellaneous,
1959-1962.
Includes Legislative record of Conservative Majority, Minnesota
House, 1959; analysis of Elmer Andersen's 1961 legislative record;
memo on legislative races by Ronald F. Stinnett, June 12, 1962;
legislative candidates, primary election, by Ronald F. Stinnett,
1962; and newspaper clippings, circa August-November 1962.
Miscellaneous political files,
1946-1967.
Includes some correspondence.
1966 gubernatorial campaign:
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
February-December 1966.
Allied Insurance issue,
1965-1974.
Includes correspondence, memos, and clippings.
Personal papers
146.E.6.8F
12-A
World War II documents:
Notebook containing information, with some sketches, on
military tanks and military information,
1943.
1 volume in partial folder.
Kept by Rolvaag.
Mimeographed army orders,
1943.
2 items in partial folder.
Appointment as Royal Sovereign of Senate Sessions by the St. Paul
Winter Carnival,
February 3, 1962.
Documents on Vietnam,
December 1965.
1 volume.
Compilation of State Department papers, newspaper clippings, and other
items documenting American involvement in Vietnam; includes an L.S. from
Lyndon B. Johnson.
148.H.7.10F
6-B
Governor's Mansion:
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
May 1965-March 1967.
Transcript of an oral history interview with Florence B.
Rolvaag,
May 4, 1978.
Interview concentrates on the history and operation of the Governor's
residence in St. Paul. The audio tape on which the interview was
recorded does not exist.
Ambassador to Iceland papers:
Chronological list of correspondents,
1967.
Correspondence, A-Z,
1967.
6 folders.
Chronological list of correspondents,
1968.
Correspondence, A-Z,
1968.
5 folders.
Chronological list of correspondents,
1969.
Correspondence, A-Z,
1969.
148.H.8.1B
7-B
Guest lists,
1967-1969.
2 folders.
Printed materials.
Correspondence,
1972-1977.
8 folders.
Miscellaneous items,
1967, 1970.
148.H.8.4F
10-B
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
1944, 1955-1969.
4 folders.
Correspondence, 1967-1969, is similar to that found in the Ambassador to
Iceland correspondence files above.
Telegrams and invoices:
Telegrams and invoices,
August-December 1964.
Telegrams and invoices,
January-September 1965.
148.H.8.5B
11-B
Telegrams,
October-December 1965.
Invoices,
January-December 1965.
Telegrams,
January-December 1966.
2 folders.
Invoices,
January-July 1966.
2 folders.
148.H.14.2F
1-C
Alphabetical correspondence,
1955-1973.
6 folders.
Letters B, C, F, H, R, S only.
Miscellaneous alphabetical correspondence,
1955-1973.
1 folder.
Letters A, D, E, T, U, V, W, and Wilson strike.
Correspondence,
1954, 1961-1969, 1971-1972, 1985.
8 folders.
Correspondence with Gerald Heaney,
1958, 1961-1962.
Correspondence with Vivian Sorvall,
1985-1986.
148.H.14.4F
3-C
Miscellaneous,
1952-1984.
Includes biographical data.
Rolvaag testimonial dinners,
1965, 1967.
Meetings,
1963-1966.
Includes speech by Rolvaag to the National Electronics Conference,
Chicago, October 29, 1963; summary of Interim Meeting of the National
Governors Conference, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, December
16-17, 1966; and Midwest Governors' Conference, September 10, 1964.
Rolvaag's schedules, Iceland,
December 30, 1967-March 26, 1969.
Print and near-print materials regarding Iceland,
1939-1969.
2 folders.
Newspaper clippings
146.E.6.8F
12-A
Chronological,
1954, 1957-1958.
4 folders.
146.E.6.9B
13-A
Chronological,
1959-1961.
3 folders.
By subject, A-W,
1956-1957.
38 folders.
Political, miscellaneous,
1960, 1962, 1966.
6 folders.
1 folder is on top of the folders in the box.
Political, Elmer L. Andersen,
1960-1962.
13 folders.
Gubernatorial files
148.H.14.4F
3-C
Correspondence and miscellaneous papers,
1961-1966.
Messages to the Legislature,
1963, 1965-1966.
2 folders.
Other papers,
undated and 1963.
1 folder.
Includes Study of the Organization and Function of the Governor's Office,
by Ray Lappegard, undated, and a booklet of clippings concerning the
19623 legislative session, 1963.
Sound and visual materials
148.H.14.4F
3-C
Photographs:
Political and personal,
1921-1960s.
11 folders.
Portraits,
1940s-1960s.
+287
Oversize,
[1960s].
148.H.14.4F
3-C
Drawing: Pencil portrait of Rolvaag, by Sidney Phillips, at
the National Governors Conference,
June 1964.
1 item.
Audiotapes:
Speech by Rolvaag to the National Electronics Conference,
Chicago,
October 29, 1963.
Speeches at the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, by Rolvaag
and others,
September 29, 1965.
Speech at the [Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner?],
March 19, 1966.
Magnuson and Kroman on WCCO radio,
June 10, 1966.
Includes a discussion of the Allied Insurance trial (June 9, 1966)
and nominations for governor and attorney general at the [DFL state
convention].
Rolvaag campaign spots on KSTP [radio],
September 9, November 7, 1966.
Sound discs:
Rolvaag announces for governor,
February 17, 1962.
1 sound disc: 33 1/3 rpm.
Med kjerlighet til Governor Karl Rolvaag,
June 17, 1966.
1 sound disc.
Motion pictures:
Rolvaag at Metropolitan Stadium,
September 5, 1966.
Rolvaag at Cambridge State Hospital,
September 16, 1966.
1 film reel: color; 16 mm.